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| Progress in investigating the pathogenesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome |
| Zhao-Jie Zhang and Chang-Qing Yang |
Shanghai, China
Author Affiliations: Division of Gastroenterology and Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China (Zhang ZJ and Yang CQ)
Corresponding Author: Chang-Qing Yang, MD, PhD, Division of Gastroenterology and Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China (Tel: 86-21-66111604; Fax: 86-21-56050502; Email: cqyang@tongji.edu.cn) |
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Abstract BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome is complicated and remains unknown. This review aims to provide an updated knowledge about the pathogenesis of the syndrome.
DATA SOURCES: Five medical databases, MEDLINE, Science-Direct, OVID, Springer Link, and Wiley InterScience were searched for articles on "hepatopulmonary syndrome", "cirrhosis", "angiogenesis", "intestinal endotoxemia", "nitric oxide", "carbon monoxide", and other related subjects.
RESULTS: Currently, imbalance between vasodilation and vasoconstriction, intestinal bacterial translocation, intestinal endotoxemia, and activation of the lung monocyte/macrophage system may play important roles in the pathogenesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome. Recent studies found that angiogenesis is also an important factor in the pathogenesis of experimental hepatopulmonary syndrome.
CONCLUSION: Angiogenesis inhibition may be a potential approach for the treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome in the future.
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2010, Vol. 9 
